Rising awareness of the ethical and environmental consequences of animal agriculture has led to a large influx of people adopting a vegan lifestyle. So, to begin, what is veganism? Like vegetarians, vegans don’t consume any form of meat, but they go a step further by abstaining from any product that is derived from an animal. This includes avoiding milk products, honey, wool, silk, and leather. Veganism became increasingly popular in the 2010s and as of 2021, approximately 79 million people around the world follow this type of diet.
Now, there are multiple reasons different people have for going vegan. Some of the most significant of them are:
Following a vegan style diet can help with weight loss
It can reduce the risk of heart diseases, it can help lower cholesterol levels, and it may help in preventing type 2 diabetes
Veganism may prevent cancer and other diseases
It reduces slaughter and abusive treatment of animals
Vegan foods are also very rich in many of the nutrients required by our body
However, some significant disadvantages that come along with veganism which we should keep in mind are:
One of the most dangerous side effects is the lack of various essential nutrients that are present in meat and dairy products like Iron, Calcium, Vitamin B12, Iodine, etc.
Low energy and weight loss because of insufficient calorie intake
High risk of depression as well as eating disorders
It can be costly due to the requirement of expensive supplements
While veganism can be extremely beneficial for the environment and for animals, it can be very hazardous to many who may not be aware of personal health complications that can result from this. It’s important to undertake sufficient research with one’s individual needs in mind before changing your diet to vegan. Having said that, it is easier than most people think as it is largely a question of how willing you are to change your diet, given that it requires a little additional knowledge and discretion regarding nutrition.
Written By: Andhiya Madamala
Edited by: Aarushi Sharma
Uploaded by: Anoushka Ishi Gupta